Paramount Theatre, Echuca

After multiple postponements, the Echuca concert at the Paramount Theatre finally went ahead on 20 March.

Marching on stage to Men of Harlech, the expectant audience could hardly wait to join in with the English verses.

Local resident and member of our Bendigo branch Garry Salisbury welcomed the assembly before Faleiry led the choir through What Would I Do Without My Music, the patriotic 

O Gymru and the old favourite Cwm Rhondda which again gave patrons the opportunity to join in with the chorus.

Bendigo resident and internationally renowned soprano Merlyn Quaife took the stage to showcase her magnificent voice with three Puccini arias – Si, chiamano Mimi, from La Bohème, O Mio Babbino, Caro from Gianni Schicchi, and Chi il bel sogno di Doretta, from La Rondine. The bracket ended with a technically brilliant Laughing Song, from Die Fledermaus. Sustained applause followed for both soloist and accompanist Lorna Ogilvie.

Associate MD Rushan Hewawasam came to the rostrum to conduct All Through the Night with Merlyn, the  classic Amazing Grace and the beautiful Anfonaf Angel with sensitive flute accompaniment by Nigel McGuckian.

Merlyn’s next bracket stemmed from her time as a post-graduate student in Munich and her love for the language: Mozart’s Das Veilchen, Schubert’ Heidenroslein and Ach, ich fühl’s, Pamina’s aria from The Magic Flute, by Mozart. The audience’s appreciation of this performance could be simply expressed as Wunderlich.

Faleiry resumed her place to lead the choir through Ar Lan y Môr (By the Sea rather than By the Murray), Rhys and How Great Thou Art with a soaring solo by the hugely talented Merlyn, to complete the first half of the concert.

After interval, Rushan took over, conducting the choir in Morte Criste, Yfory (Tomorrow) accompanied by Nigel again, and the well-known Danny Boy with Merlyn, once again, showing her superb versatility in all musical genres. This was amplified by her passionate Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina, with Summertime and a wonderfully romantic medley of love songs. Patrons and choristers alike saluted her incredible voice, her diction, breath control, breadth of repertoire and sheer excellence – everyone had certainly fallen under Merlyn’s spell.

The final bracket came under Faleiry’s control with Speed Your Journey, the lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi with a fine solo by the multitasking Garry and the passion of You’ll Never Walk Alone with a heart-stirring solo by Merlyn.

To finish off this remarkable concert – the choir’s first for 2022 – Australia’s quasi-anthem Waltzing Matilda segued into Wales’ actual anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau with final contributions from Merlyn and Nigel on flute. The day’s marvellous musical experience was seemingly complete but the audience hadn’t had quite enough. To cries of More, More Faleiry teed up Lorna and the choir to perform an encore with the well-loved Calon Lân.

A pure heart – pure music.

Bracket 1:

1. Si, chiamano Mimi, from La Boheme, Puccini.

2. O Mio Babbino, Caro, from Gianni Schicchi, Puccini.

3. Chi il bel sogno di Doretta, from La Rondine, Puccini.

4. Laughing Song, from Die Fledermaus, J.Strauss II.

Bracket 2:

1. Das Veilchen, by Mozart, 

2. Heidenroslein, by Schubert.

3. Ach, ich fuhl’s, Patina’s aria from The Magic Flute, by Mozart.

Bracket 3:

1. Don’t cry for me Argentina, from Evita, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

2. Summertime, from Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin.

3. Love song Medley.( (sorry, don’t remember the arranger, gave the music back to Merlyn immediately!)